Unlike a car, the average bicycle doesn’t come with a speedometer that tells you how fast you’re going or an odometer that tells you the distance you’ve covered. That’s where a bike speedometer comes in; it does exactly what it says it does, and that is to measure the speed and mileage of your bike.
Beyond that, some premium bike computers can help you out with navigation and track down your performance insights.
In this article, we’ll uncover some of the best bike speedometers you can get your hands on. Let’s get started, shall we?
Best Bike Speedometer for the Money
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT GPS Bike Computer
Quite impressive, this head unit has an aerodynamic design that reduces air drag when speeding on your bike; although to unlock its full potential, you need to install it using the KOM Cycling Wahoo Handlebar that is sold separately.
Besides that, it’s a wireless GPS enabled bike computer that comes with Wi-Fi, ANT+, and Bluetooth capabilities. In other words, you can connect it to different sensors at the same time to monitor your speed, distance, cadence, and heart rate. Plus, it features an in-built map that can take you anywhere.
Did I mention, you can also pair it with your smartphone and receive your calls, texts, and emails via the head unit? Better yet, if you’re lost on the road, the live group tracking allows your friends to find you.
Despite all its advanced features, we’re surprised it doesn’t have a colored display like its competitors. Nevertheless, that is not a deal-breaker for most people.
Manufacturer Specs
- Type: GPS enabled speedometer (Wireless)
- Screen size: 2.2 inches
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Waterproof: Yes
What We Like
- It features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity
- Compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows systems
- Aerodynamic design
- Long battery life
- Turn by turn navigation
- Call, text, and email alerts
- It can be synced with popular cycling apps
What We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t have a colored display
The Wahoo ELEMNT is a GPS enabled bike computer that is water-resistant with up to 15 hours of battery life.
Best Bike Speedometer For Navigation
Garmin Edge 830 Bike Computer
- Performance GPS Cycling/Bike Computer
- with Mapping
- Dynamic Performance Monitoring
- Popularity Routing
How about a bike speedometer that doesn’t just tell you the speed and distance but will help you to figure out your VO2 max, training load, and recovery time. Going up a hill? It will tell you the altitude acclimation and keep a record of how fast you descend a trail.
Perhaps, this is the real revolution; if you have an accident, this Garmin bike computer will automatically send your current location to saved emergency contacts. What’s more, if your bike is stolen or somebody moves it, the head unit will trigger an alarm and send a notification to your smartphone.
If you’re concerned about the battery, it can run up to 40 hours on battery saver mode; and 20 hours at optimum capacity. Of course, for a speedometer this advanced, you can download cycling apps and utilize Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+.
Here is the kicker though; it’s damn expensive! However, if you think about what you get in return, we think it’s a bargain.
Manufacturer Specs
- Type: GPS enabled speedometer (Wireless)
- Screen size: 2.6 inches
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Waterproof: Yes
What We Like
- Very long battery life on power saver mode
- Heat and altitude acclimation data
- Dynamic performance monitoring
- It can be paired with your smartphone
- Incident detection feature
- Bike alarm security feature
- Live track and group messaging
What We Don’t Like
- It’s expensive
Summary
The Garmin Edge 830 is a GPS speedometer for professional cyclers.
Best Bike Speedometer for Battery Life
LEZYNE Mega XL GPS Bicycle Computer
Full credit to the team that managed to create this GPS enabled bicycle computer that can hold a charge for up to 48 hours. If you think that is unprecedented, wait until you find out that it can record up to 800 hours of data.
Thanks to its Bluetooth and ANT+ capability, you can connect it to multiple sensors on your bike to get an accurate reading of your speed, heart rate, cadence, calorie burn, and power. Additionally, if you got an incoming text, call, or message, you can receive it via the head unit.
Unfortunately, its mounting kit is sold separately but if you do it right, it can fit any type of bike (road, gravel, or mountain bike) without obstructing your view.
You can however buy a bundle from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Manufacturer Specs
- Type: GPS enabled speedometer (Wireless)
- Screen size: 2.7 inches
- Battery life: 48 hours
- Waterproof: Yes
What We Like
- Long battery life
- Up to 800 hours of saved data
- Weather-resistant
- It can be paired with a smartphone
- Turn by turn navigation
- On-screen preloaded maps
What We Don’t Like
- The mounting kit is sold separately
Summary
The Lezyne Mega XL has one of the longest battery life spans for a head unit with GPS navigation.
Best Bike Speedometer – Budget Buy
ICOCOPRO Bike Computer
While most bike computers need to recharge most of the time, this unit comes with a solar panel so you can harvest power out in the sunshine. Well, you can also charge it directly and channel the extra power to its 2 batteries that can keep you going for more than 24 hours.
But that’s not all; you can ride it out in the rain due to its waterproof design, and even if it gets dark at night, the LCD backlight will make it easier to view the screen. Despite its small size, it can measure the speed, riding time, distance, cadence, burned calories, and temperature.
On the downside, don’t expect this speedometer to give you turn by turn directions. Then again, this is one of the cheapest speedometers available.
Manufacturer Specs
- Type: Wireless speedometer
- Screen size: 1.7 inches
- Battery life: 24+ hours
- Waterproof: Yes
What We Like
- Built with solar panel
- Auto sleep function
- Wireless and waterproof design
- LCD backlight
- Low budget speedometer
- 5 language display
What We Don’t Like
It doesn’t have a navigation feature
Summary
The ICOCOPRO is a low budget bike computer that is wireless and waterproof.
CATEYE – Velo 7 Wired Bike Computer
- Displays current, max, and average speed
- total distance, trip distance,
- elapsed time,
- pace arrow, and clock.
- wired speed sensor
- battery that lasts up to three years
Here is the thing about wired bike computers; they’re very accurate and reliable. That’s because you don’t need to worry about signal inconsistency like you would on a wireless bike speedometer. Anyway, this speedometer includes a wired speed sensor in the package to make installation easier.
Once you’ve set it up, it can display the speed, distance, time, and clock. It’s waterproof too, and almost bulletproof; nothing like those fancy GPS enabled speedometers that crack a screen at the slightest impact.
If you stop briefly at a red light or coffee shop, the bike computer will automatically stop counting the stats and continue when you get back on the road. But the best part is the battery! Wait for it……. you don’t need to recharge it, and it can last up to 3 years before it’s due for a replacement.
As you probably know, a wired speedometer will make your bike look cluttered. However, that is a small price to pay if you want something accurate and consistent.
Manufacturer Specs
- Type: Wired
- Screen size: N/A
- Battery life: 3 years
- Waterproof: Yes
What We Like
- Minimalism design
- Includes a wired speed sensor
- Long-lasting battery
- Waterproof
- Easy to program
- Very accurate and reliable
What We Don’t Like
The wire can clutter your bike
Summary
The Cateye Velo 7 is a wired bike computer that doesn’t need to be recharged.
DINOKA Bike Speedometer
There is nothing fancy about this wireless bike speedometer; it doesn’t have a big touchscreen or GPS navigation but it still gets the job done to measure your current speed, trip distance, and trip time. It’s also lightweight, and it doesn’t feel heavy on the handlebar when riding.
Like most high-quality speedometers on our guide, it’s waterproof enough to survive a hurricane. Also, it features a green and white-colored backlight display that makes it easier to read the screen during the day or night.
Fortunately, the package includes everything that you need to install; wireless sensors, plastic tie-wraps, stickers, 2 batteries, a mounting seat, and a manual.
However, this is not the ideal head unit if you’re looking for something compatible with your indoor training bike or electric-assist bicycle.
